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NEWS BRIEFS
Week of September 24, 2007
 Sunday, September 30th - Senator Hillary Clinton
is coming to the Bay Area to discuss her plan to provide
healthcare for every American, to get us out of Iraq, and to
improve our schools. You can either purchase a $20 VIP ticket which gets you closer to the stage or receive a free general admission ticket. The event starts at 4:30pm at City Center Plaza - Clay Street & 14th
Street, Oakland CA, and ends at 6:30pm - be sure to get
there early. For more information you can call or e-mail the campaign at
club44oakland@hillaryclinton.com or 415.255.7431.
California Closer to Agreement on Health Care Plan
Democratic lawmakers are reportedly closer to reaching an agreement with Governor Schwarzenegger on bringing health care coverage to 6.8 million uninsured Californians. Nine months after unveiling his plan, Schwarzenegger and state Democrats are working on a compromise that lawmakers could consider in the coming weeks. After hailing 2007 as the year of health care, Schwarzenegger's reform agenda became mired in a two-month stalemate over the state budget this summer. After the budget issues were resolved, Schwarzenegger called a special legislative session earlier this month in hopes of giving his negotiators more time to work out a deal with the Democratic majority. Read more
15,000 Sign Petition to Schwarzenegger Calling for Marriage Equality
Equality California delivered petitions with 14,766 signatures to Governor Schwarzenegger last week, calling on him to sign the Marriage Equality Bill passed by the legislature. Schwarzenegger has vetoed a similar bill in the past, and has vowed to veto this one, a bill that would make marriage in California non gender specific, giving same-sex couples the option to marry. AB 43, authored by Assemblymember Mark Leno, D-San Francisco, is called The Religious Freedom and Civil Marriage Protection Act and guarantees the constitution's promise of religious freedom while extending the vital benefits and protections afforded in marriage to same-sex couples. Read more
Week of September 17, 2007
CA Legislature Calls on Congress, President to Pass Hate Crimes Act
The California Senate last week approved a resolution urging Congress and the president to strengthen the federal hate crimes law. AJR 29, authored by Assemblymember Mike Eng (D-Monterey Park) urges Congress and the president to protect hate crime victims who are targeted based on their real or perceived sexual orientation, gender identity or disability by passing the Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act, also known as the Matthew Shepard Act. The federal measure would expand the nation’s hate crimes protections and boost law enforcement’s ability to investigate and prosecute acts of violence against all protected communities of people. Current federal law only covers hate crimes that are motivated by race, color, national origin or religion. The California Assembly passed the same resolution with the most bipartisan support ever received in the California Legislature for a measure affecting the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community.
Read more
Week of August 27, 3007
"Broken Process Yields a Bad Budget for California," California Progress Report, August 30, 2007.
California Budget Includes First-Ever Funds for LGBT Services
California’s budget will for the first time include funding for programs that specifically serve the LGBT community. The 2007-2008 budget includes $300,000 earmarked to aid LGBT victims of domestic violence, to help sustain existing domestic violence services and expand programs for the LGBT community through the Equality in Prevention and Services for Domestic Abuse Fund, administered by the Office of Emergency Services. Read more
California Bill Simplifies Tax Filing for Domestic Partners
California lawmakers are working on passing legislation that would simplify the state income tax filing process for registered domestic partners. Senator Carole Migden’s SB 105, also known as the Domestic Partners Joint Income Tax Filing Implementation Bill, makes technical amendments to the 2006 law which allows domestic partners to file state income taxes as married spouses beginning with the 2007 tax year. Last year, Migden’s SB 1827 gave registered domestic partners the same financial protections as married spouses by allowing them to file jointly or separately as married couples. However, because federal law does not recognize domestic partnerships, new legislation was developed to properly implement California's new tax laws. Read more
Week of August 20, 2007
California Lawmakers Take on Finance Reform
California lawmakers have proposed three bills that would update the state's campaign finance laws and better recognize free speech rights. Opponents say the measures would allow too much influence by special interest groups by decreasing public reporting of charitable contributions. The bill that has received the most attention is AB 1430, which generally would prohibit local governments from adopting campaign finance ordinances that restrict communications between an organization and its members. The bill is opposed so far by the Los Angeles Ethics Commission, San Diego Ethics Commission, California Clean Money Campaign, League of Women Voters of California and California Common Cause. Read more
Week of August 6, 2007
State Legislature Hears Title IX Testimony, Proposes Stricter Enforcement
Read more here
Cindy Sheehan Announces Candidacy for Congress
Read more here
Week of July 23, 2007
Same-Sex Marriage Bill Passes Key California Senate
Committee
Read more here
Week of July 9, 2007
Assembly Committee Passes Tax Relief for Domestic Partners
The California Assembly Revenue and Taxation Committee has approved legislation that would roll back inequitable property taxes paid by some domestic partners prior to Jan. 1, 2006. The Fair and Equal Taxation for Surviving Partners Act, passed the committee with a 6-3 vote. The bill, SB 559, was authored by Sen. Christine Kehoe, D-San Diego, and provides relief for same-sex couples who separated or lost a partner before a 2006 law went into effect protecting them against unfair and discriminatory property tax reassessments. While registered domestic partners received the tax exemption beginning on Jan. 1, 2006, couples that transferred property prior to that date did not receive the same benefit. SB 559 would apply this exemption to couples who were wrongly taxed before 2006, ensuring that their property tax bills are adjusted accordingly.
Read more here
Week of July 2, 2007
Maya Angelou Offers Tribute to Clinton Candidacy
See video here
California Lawmakers Merge Health Care Proposals
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New Resolution Calls for Passage of Matthew Shepard Act
Read more here
California Lawmaker Introduces Ledbetter Fair Pay Act in House
Read more here
Week of June 25, 2007
Marriage Equality Bill Passes Assembly
Read more here
California's Teacher Pension Fund Faces $19B Shortage
Read more here
Sprawl Clashes with Warming in California
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California Senate Passes Resolution Calling for End of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell”
Read more here
California Senate Passes Student Civil Rights Act, Protecting All California Students
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California Assembly Votes to Adopt Stronger Nondiscrimination Standards
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Week of May 21, 2007
Prisons' Budget Poised to Trump State Colleges
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California Democrats Propose Employer Health Insurance Contribution Mandate
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California Senate Panel Reviews Iraq Withdrawal Bill
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Schwarzenegger Signs Legislation to Fund Implementation of Jessica's Law
Read more here
Week of May 14, 2007
National NOW PAC Endorses Hillary Clinton for President
See video here
"California Legislature Moves One Step Closer to Protecting Kids From Toxic Toys."
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"California Challenges Bush Administration Low Gas Mileage Standards: Huge Impact on Global Warming Riding on Court Hearing."
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"Governor Set to Release Revised Spending Plan."
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"Candidates File for Special CA US House Election."
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